-chapter one-hundred-twenty-

MAKI

My goodness!

Parang nauulit na naman ang nangyari noon. Nakalimutan na ng pretty brain ko kung ano ang quote na 'yon, pero something like history repeats itself.

Paano ba naman, kaloka, nawawala si Finn!

"She wasn't there, Eura." damang-dama ang pinipigilang galit ni Kairo habang nagsasalita. "Bakit niyo naman siya iniwan? You know Sapphire's bad news!"

Isa pa ang ingratang 'yon. Akala ko pinakamasama na si June sa mga naengkwentro naming kontrabida sa buhay ni Finn, pero may nagtatagong ahas lang pala sa tabi. Naalala ko tuloy noong panahong pinagbibintangan ng masama si Finn.

May kilala naman talaga ako dito sa game. Wes and Dierran offered me to join their alliance, but who would take that when Amnesia, the greatest bully alive is there? Hindi din naman kami close dahil dating magkakilala lang ang pamilya namin, kaya naman minsanan lang ang interaction namin sa game. At sinabi ko rin sa kanilang layuan ako para 'di sila madamay sa gulo. So we mostly acted as strangers.

Ewan ko ba at siguro nabaon na sa insecurities at traditional views ang ibang players dito kaya mas kasalanan pa ang gender identity ko kaysa sa selfish acts nila. At least my preferred sexuality isn't harming anyone, unlike them who would kill people they don't agree with.

Nang marinig ko ang Lone Wolves at ang sabi-sabi na pwede daw mag-solo do'n, I accepted the invite. At the meeting, I stayed hidden in the dark, leaning on a wall. Nasa perpektong posisyon ako para makita ang isang babaeng naka-twin buns ang buhok. She's as pretty as a doll, and probably as fragile too. And when I heard her voice the first time I stood near her, I understood why those boys went crazy. Lalo na nang makita kung gaano siya kabait, inosente at matulungin.

I guess in this game that promises death and pain, her purity was an escape. A breath of fresh air in the lands of dead.

Which is quite ironic knowing that she drowns in quiet misery than most of us.

Hindi nagtagal ay naalala ko din siya. It was when she was being criticized, I guess, and I was watching just like the rest. Her hair was a mess. Exhaustion and grief was evident in her face. And when her eyes, sparkling with death and anger, passed by us, I remembered.

Siya ang babaeng excuse ni Wes noon. Laging magba-bike papunta sa ibabang village at hihinto sa may sea wall. When Dierran and I went with him that one time, I saw her. She was playing with three other kids and she was smiling. Iyon na ang una at huli dahil naging busy ako at 'di na nakabisita ulit sa mga Salvallon.

I approached her, partly because I remembered, but mostly because I know the feeling of being an outcast. I felt that the whole time I was in this game. And I thought she was dealing with a lot of problems already, that being alone is too much of a punishment.

I joked a lot about us being besties and stuff, but I don't really expect too much. Isa din ako sa nanood lang at hindi naman kami matagal na nagkakilala. I can be just some temporary friend so she won't be lonely. So it was heartwarming that she stayed. Dahil kahit mamon ang puso ko, hindi ko mapigilan ang kiligin sa laging pagpili ni Finn.

Sinulyapan ko ang dalawang lalaking laging aaligid sa kaniya. Nako, KaiWes shipper iyang bebs ko. Baka pala ako pa ang makatuluyan niya. Nyahahaha!

Pero, hay nako, kahit na ano pa man ako karupok para ibigay ang kainosentehan ko kay Finn, loyal pa rin ako kay Liam my loves. Kaya bahala na si Papi Kairo o Wes sa kaniya, pwede din si Oliver. Deads na kasi 'yong dalawa pang prospects.

"She was facing her two childhood friends, Kairo. At inutusan niya akong ibaba si Gavin. Wherever she is, don't you trust her capability to fight and survive? You know, more than anyone else maybe, how she wouldn't lose without giving it her all."

Ay nako, Maki. Sobra na ata ang pagbyahe natin sa memory lane at nagkakagulo na pala dito sa harap mo. Nakakainis naman kasi iyong hunters na 'yon at pinaglalayo kami. Kung sana by partners pa din, e'di nasa tabi ko na si Finn. O ako nasa tabi niya.

"Her body and mind might not take it." bumuntong-hininga si Wes. "What if Sapphire took her to fight every clones? Kailangan na natin siyang hanapin."

"Nandito si insan saka 'yong ate ni Kairo." tugon ni Oliver at may itinuro sa labas ng bintana. "I can also see one of Finn's friends. Iyong nerd."

"Then where did Sapphire—"

"I think I know where she is."

Nakakagulat at nakakatakot ang mga tingin na tinapon nila kay Marcella. Kahit ako ay napaatras sa galit na nagmumula kay Kairo. Imbes na matuwa ang papi, aba't parang mas nadagdagan ang apoy na dulot ng pagkawala ng kitten niya.

Corny mo papi, pero love pa din kita.

"What the fuck!" bulalas niya at bahagya kong tinakpan ang inosenteng tainga. "May kinalaman ka na naman ba dito, Marcella? I thought you've changed and my kitten was already accepting you. Were you tricking us all along?"

Blanko lang siyang tiningnan ng babae. "I know who Sapphire is... and yes, I may be the reason why it happened to her, but I wasn't aware until a while ago. When Sapphire confessed that she was a game master-"

"Game master?!" nalaglag ang panga namin ni Eura dahil nakakasakit na sa bangs ang nangyayari ngayon. "Kagaya ni Theo?!" dagdag niya pa.

"Yes. And she was the reason behind Finn's downfall." tiningnan niya si Kairo. "Sa pagkamatay ni Depore, she knew where Finn will spawn. She called June first before searching for Depore and telling her Finn's in danger. Pagkatapos ay nag-acting siyang nagpapanic at pinuntahan kayo para puntahan ang tatlo. Kung saan mapapatay ni June si Depore, pero mapupunta ang sisi kay Finn dahil sa benefit ni June na invisibility."

"Tangina." mahinang sambit ni Eura. "Nagawa niya 'yon? Tapos nakaya ko pang makipagtawanan sa kaniya?"

"In the Mirror City, she knew Caspian would follow Finn. And she called for the clowns to attack him. It should be one clown per player, but Caspian fought three of them. And I found him fighting there but I was so blinded by my own pride and anger that I didn't help him. I let him die even if I was capable of helping."

Oliver clenched his jaw, his hands closing into a fist. Halatang-halata kung gaano niya kinontrol ang galit sa pag-iwas ng tingin sa amin. He busied himself with the view outside, his breathing sharp and harsh.

"It was our own actions that led into Renée's death, but she was the one who talked Sebastian into staying. Ipinakilala niya ang sarili at sinabing kapag hindi siya umalis sa city na 'yon, makikita nito si Renée. I guess, that's why he wasn't capable of thinking that he had two other friends left. He was so lost in his own pain and grief too that he wanted to follow suit."

Napatalon ako nang sinuntok ni Gavin ang pader. It formed a crack on the wall, with the man ducking his head, hair messy and lips red from trying to bite his anger back. Hindi ito ang tamang time pero wengya, parang lumuwag ang undergarments ko do'n.

"I also recently knew that she staged the whole war between the Blood Vanguards and Lone Wolves herself. June was her favorite puppet but she died, and she couldn't convince me any longer when I stopped all my dreams of winning, so she threatened Theo. It's..." huminga ng malalim si Marcella. "I think I have an idea about her plan right now. She couldn't break Finn because of everyone here, those who tried to believe in her. But right now... it might be different."

Sa unang pagkakataon ay nawala ang ngiti sa mukha ni Dierran, "Different how?"

"Nalaman ko na dapat mag-exit na ang mga GM at the Nightmare City, pero she stayed here. Which means she isn't finished yet. And it's different because she pulled Finn away from us." biglang itinuro ni Marcella ang gate. "Finn might be in the last city and she left us here. Sa ganoong paraan, hindi natin matutulungan si Finn."

"Damn her. Those fucking clones and hunters are impossible to beat," Kairo scoffed, walking closer to the window. "Even if I use underworld, it's a pain."

"It doesn't matter." ani Wes. "The sparrow's at the other side, endangering her life. Even if we die trying, we'll pass that gate and rush to her side."

Gamit ang bintana ay tumalon siya pababa. We were on the second floor so it wasn't that high, really. Kairo cursed at him before following kaya nagkatinginan kaming natira at sumunod na rin.

We've already promised ourselves. We've already decided. That this time we'd stand beside Finn.

The appearance of the hunter was sudden, but not surprising. Agad ding naalerto ang mga clones at humarap sa'min. Iba't ibang uri ng hunters ang muling tumayo sa may gate, at may iba pang kahindik-hindik ang itsura na ayaw ko na lang idescribe at baka magvomit ako dito. Kaya iginala ko ang tingin sa paligid hanggang sa mamataan ko ang aking clone. Oh my gosh, kahit na clone, e ang gwapo at ganda ko pa rin.

Marcella was the first to attack, her bright and flaming sword dagger taking most of our attention. She was charging towards the hunter with the mallet, but an elf-looking hunter intercepted and kicked her off. The boys tried to take the largest hunter on, but other creatures fought them on the way, kaya naman si Gavin ang natirang sumugod doon sa may hawak na mallet. He dodged every slam and slid in between the hunter, before jumping up and creating a rock fist that almost punched the spirits out of his enemy.

Ang alam ko, mula sa mga stories ni Finn kapag nagrerelax kami sa mga kontrabida niya, ay hindi marunong gumamit ng dagger itong si Gavin noong una. Like sablay lahat ng atake niya. But because he was an athlete and he was hella strong, he used his fists as his weapons, combining it with the magic that he learned.

May mga pagkakataon na nakikita kong tahimik niya lang na tinatakpan ang mga sugat para hindi makita ni Finn. His knuckles are always left bloody after every fight, but he smiles at Finn like everything's alright.

Maybe because I'm a wallflower who stays at the side to observe others kaya nakikita ko ang mga quiet struggles niya. Maybe he didn't want to trouble Finn any further so he was shouldering his burdens alone.

Iniwas ko ang tingin sa kaniya nang makitang tinulungan na siya ni Wes. It's interesting how Gavin would be the most threatening boy in Finn's life but Wes remains quiet about him. Mas vino-voice out nito ang pagka-ayaw kina Oliver at Kairo. Si Caspian din sa pagkaka-alam kong chika ni Eura.

I stretched my arms, a smirk playing on my lips as I watched another war play on the schoolgrounds.

Yes, our lady is not here. And that's why we're stronger than before.

Huwag na huwag niyo talagang ninanakaw ang iniingatang babae ng iba.

I glanced behind me. Before I partake in the fight, gusto ko munang kumbinsihin ang mga manlalarong naiwan at nagtatago. Well, they're not really hiding. Medyo hesitant lang siguro silang lumabas dahil wala naman ito sa plano.

The rest of the players were on the first floor, whispering amongst themselves as the war between rogues and hunters continued. Hinarap ko sila at ngumiti ng malaki.

"Tara na't umalis dito-"

Ang magandang speech ko sana ay agad pinutol ng nag-eepal na Eura. "Hoy, mga bruhilda! Ano pang hinihintay niyo diyan? Ayuda na hindi dadating? Tangina, magsitayuan nga kayo at pupuntahan natin 'yong babaeng lagi tayong pinoprotektahan." binalingan niya ako. "Putsa talaga, Maki. 'Pag napahamak si Finn do'n, ingungudngod ko si Sapphire sa bahayan ng baboy."

Hindi ako mabilis magtampo pero sa ngayon ay umaapoy ako sa galit dahil sa pagputol niya sa sasabihin ko. Ang cool na sana ng sasabihin ko eh! Ipapakita ko na sana sa kanila ang gilas ng isang Finley Lilliane, tapos aagawin niya ang spotlight na hinanda ko?

Kaya with the poise and elegance of an evil stepmother, sinamaan ko siya ng tingin.

Louise tapped Eura's mouth as she passed us. "Ang rumi ng bibig mo. 'Di pa ba hinalikan ni Gavin 'yan para malinis?"

Natawa ako. Nagkatinginan kami ni Louise at naghigh-five dahil biglang namula ang mukha ni Eura at 'di na siya makapagsalita. Fern, who stopped to wait for us, shot her friend a disgusting look.

"Mas bata 'yon sa'yo."

Eura pursed her lips. "One year lang naman."

"Hindi pa college 'yon."

"Magka-college na naman."

Aba't ang babaeng 'to, daming alam! Check na check sa kaniya ang 'kapag gusto, maraming paraan.'

Isang player ang tumilapon sa building kaya may mga napatili. Pero ang mga babaeng natakot, aba't biglang lumapit sa tao nang makitang si Kairo iyon. Paano ba naman kasi at shirtless si Papi. His eyes were swimming in anger and he wiped the blood of his mouth in a slow manner, before darting his tongue out to wet his lips.

"Kairo... are you okay-"

Hindi niya pinansin ang babae at muling sumugod sa labas, pushing Wes to the side when the claw of a hunter came rushing down. Tinalon niya ito at tumakbo papunta sa may chest area. Ang weird no'ng hunter kasi parang alimango siya na may katawan ng tao sa taas. Ginamit nito ang iba pang claws para atakehin si Kairo, ngunit agad na binaril ni Oliver ang mga ito palayo. He served as the support for Kairo to stab the hunter's chest.

Sa isang bahagi ay namataan ko ang isang hunter na kasingliit ng limang taong bata. Dahan-dahan itong naglalakad papunta sa likod ni Marcella, na nakikipaglaban rin sa isang elf hunter. Kahit na mukhang harmless ay nararamdaman ko ang panganib na dulot niya. So I summoned two of my axes out, throwing it towards the child and successfully cutting the head. Marcella glanced behind her before looking at me, and I gave her a thumbs-up sign.

Itinaas ko ang kamay para pabalikin ang mga axe ko. I smiled when they hit my hand, opening my mouth to shout, "Darn-!"

Na hindi natuloy dahil sa matinding init sa likod ko. I glared at Eura who fired her flame behind me, but she just shrugged.

"May clone kanina sa likod mo. Hindi ko alam na gusto mong mamatay e'di sana hinayaan ko na."

"Gurl, sabihin mo lang kung may pagnanasa ka sa'kin." I said, my eyes turning to slits. "Sa lahat ng pwede mong sunugin, talagang ang tela pa sa likod ko ano. Gustong-gusto mo talaga makita katawan ko."

Ngumiwi siya at itinuro ang isang Gavin na topless na din. Malapit nang tumulo ang laway ko kung hindi ko lang nakita si bebe Liam na agresibong nakikipaglaban sa isang hunter.

"Sorry ka na lang, Makibabes, ha. Pero as long as hindi ganiyan ang katawan mo, hindi kita pagpapantasyahan."

I arched a brow. Padabog siyang umalis pero may pahabol pa ako. "Sinasabi ko na nga bang katawan lang ang habol mo kay Gavin, Eura!"

Dahil medyo malakas ang boses ko ay kinabahan ang bruha. She faced me, her eyes wide and roaming around the place, spotting if there are players who heard me.

"Ang ingay mo!"

"Wow! At nanggaling pa 'yan sa'yo?"

"Nasa laban tayo, huwag kang makipag-usap sa'kin!" maldita niyang saad. With a flip of her hair, she rolled her eyes at me. "Pinapakita mo lang kung gaano mo 'ko kacrush."

Eww.

Disgusted, I didn't warn her about her clone tiptoeing behind. Mukhang hindi rin naman kailangan dahil naramdaman na niya ang presensiya nito. Like the barbaric woman she is, sinunog niya ang clone nang hindi man lang kumukurap.

Napailing ako sa display ng violence at aggression sa paligid. At the same time, I was glad at the display of desperation. Dahil alam naming lahat na hindi kami pwedeng kumalma at magpakachill lang sa laban.

We need to see and help Finn immediately, so we won't lose our sanity.

We need to know our sparrow's alright. We need to rush and be her wings, in case she burns herself again of selflessness.

Hawak-hawak ang dalawang axe ay nakangisi akong sumugod sa mga hunters. I'm showy with my air magic, yes, but I don't particularly boast my skills. Kaya naman sa gulat ng players na malapit sa'kin, nakapatumba agad ako ng dalawang hunters.

Nahanap ko ang mata ni Liam at kumindat. They avoided me for being gay, unaware that I could be a strong ally. Hindi naman ako nakasurvive ng thirteen cities na mag-isa kung wala akong ibubuga. Of course, isang rason na doon ay dahil sa wala akong pinoprotektahan at walang pabigat.

"Maki."

Sinulyapan ko si Dierran nang tawagin niya ang pangalan ko. "Oh, ano na naman?"

"I'll make a way for you," aniya habang nakatitig sa hunter na may mallet. Gavin, Wes and Eura were having a hard time fighting him. "Once they attack them simultaneously, I'll escort you to the gate. Tutulungan kitang labanan ang mga hunters o clones na pwede nating madaanan, but you have to go on and enter the gate."

"Mauuna akong umalis?"

"Finn needs us, Maki. Pero imposible na makalusot tayong lahat dito nang hindi nagsasayang ng oras. You're her partner, Maki. Go and help her."

Ngumiti ako. "Siyempre naman. Mamamatay pa ako para protektahan siya."

"Pwedeng huwag lang tayo magsabi ng mga ganiyan," Dierran said with a frown. "Let's protect each other, not until we die, but to ensure we'll live."

Parang kinilig naman ang buong buhay ko sa sinabi niya. Mahina akong natawa, "Ikaw ha. Patok ka ata sa mga babae 'no."

"Just a few lang naman." he cooly replied. "But I only want the girls I like."

"Ewan ko sa'yo. Bar-hopping naman ata kayo ni Oliver tapos nito."

"Wanna come, Maki? I have a friend you might like."

"Si Liam ba?"

Kumunot ang noo niya. "Liam?"

I flipped my hair in a sassy manner. "'Pag hindi Liam ang pangalan, huwag mo akong kausapin."

Napailing siya, ngunit sumeryoso din kami nang sabay na inatake ng tatlo ang hunter na may mallet.

The hunter gave a deafening roar, as rocks filled with fire floated around it. Lumipad ang mga ito papunta sa hunter kasabay ng tatlong water slicer na sinubukan siyang hatiin. The three players accompanied the burst of their magic with their own physical attacks. But the hunter remained standing, the mallet creating a solid shielf around him.

That was enough time for us. Agad kaming tumakbo ni Dierran nang mawala ang atensiyon niya, since ang hunter na ito ang talagang nagbabantay sa gate. There were small-fry hunters who tried to attack us, but Dierran threw them away with his powerful attacks or by creating wall of solid ground between us and the monsters.

Isang serpent na babae ang biglang nagpakita sa harap namin. Dierran muttered a curse before pushing me forwards, taking the monster's attacks on its own. Gusto ko man siyang tulungan ay hindi ko 'yon ginawa. He took that attack and created a distraction because I have a role to play. He's depending on me to leave this city and go to Finn, so I will not fail them.

Tinapon ko ang axe sa isang clone na nagpakita. It hit the head, slicing through. Agad kong tinalunan ang weapon para makapunta sa likod niya, then I continued running.

Napakabilis ng tibok ng puso ko habang papalapit na sa gate. Just wait, Finn, we're coming to help you.

Isang dangkal na lang ang layo ko at mahahawakan ko na sana ang handle nang may tumulak sa'kin pagilid.

I cursed out loud, hissing in pain at the dagger that was stabbed on my thigh. My eyes widened as I watched the girl open the gate and pass through. Naaalala ko ang itsura niya bilang isa sa mga madadaldal na players ni Marcella na may inggit kay Finn. Isa sa mga palakang nagngangalang Carly.

Pero anong ginawa niya? Bakit niya ako tinulak?

What the fuck is that girl thinking?

But before I could think clearly about it, the shadow of the hunter loomed over me. Hindi ako makagalaw at napakasakit ng hita ko dahil sa pagkaka-saksak.

The last thing I saw was the mallet above me and I thought of Finley as I closed my eyes.

-chapter end-